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News
LEADERS LEAGUE 2021 RECOGNIZES HVDB AS THE ONLY LAW FIRM IN BELGIUM TO BE RANKED AS ‘LEADING’ IN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION, ITS HIGHEST TIER
In its 2021 International Arbitration Ranking, Leaders League has identified HVDB as the only law firm to attain the highest ranking tier within the category of “best law firms in Belgium for international arbitration 2021”. Leaders League recognized five HVDB partners, Bernard Hanotiau, Albert Jan van den Berg, Paul Lefebvre, Pascal Hollander, and Niuscha Bassiri, as Leading practitioners in Belgium.
In its 2021 Commercial Litigation Rankings, Leaders League has distinguished partners Pascal Hollander, Paul Lefebvre, and Pierre Vermeire as Highly Recommended practitioners in Belgium.
Hanotiau & van den Berg turns 20
20 years ago on 1 September 2021, Bernard Hanotiau, Professor Albert Jan van den Berg, Paul Lefebvre and Pascal Hollander set up the very first boutique law firm dedicated to arbitration and litigation. The founding partners’ visionary approach to dispute resolution services has turned out to be a resounding success. Since its inception, members of the firm have been involved as arbitrators and counsel in hundreds of cases, a lot of them high profile ones, both before Belgian and Dutch courts as well as in international commercial and investment arbitrations.
Hanotiau & van den Berg wants to sincerely thank our clients and peers for the trust during these years, as well as our staff – past and present – who have made these achievements possible. We look forward to continuing on this path in the future, which looks bright. In keeping with our tradition of promoting homegrown talent, we are very pleased to announce today also the promotion of Juan Camilo Jiménez-Valencia and Pratyush Panjwani to senior associate.
WHO’S WHO LEGAL 2021 GLOBAL GUIDE RECOGNIZES EIGHT HVDB LAWYERS FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, AND FRANCHISE.
In its Arbitration 2021 Legal Marketplace Analysis, Who’s Who Legal (WWL), ranked eight of the firm’s lawyers as leaders in the practice areas of international arbitration, commercial litigation and franchise. Of these, partners Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan van den Berg were again acknowledged as among the world’s top Global Elite Thought Leaders in international arbitration. Partner Pascal Hollander is distinguished as an Arbitration Thought Leader, while partner Paul Lefebvre comes Recommended in the Commercial Litigation practice area. Partners Maarten Draye and Iuliana Iancu, together with counsel Emily Hay, were each ranked as Future Leaders in Arbitration.
Bernard Hanotiau is again recognized by his peers and clients as “[a] global elite arbitrator with a well-deserved reputation”, who “is a superstar”, according to sources, who highlight his “truly international” practice.
Albert Jan van den Berg is named by his peers and clients as “one of the biggest names on the global arbitration circuit”, with “an excellent reputation”. WWL sources further attest to his “deep knowledge and vast experience”.
Niuscha Bassiri is once more recognized as an Arbitration Thought Leader, with her peers and clients recommending her as an “elegant and skilful arbitrator” who has “deep experience in international commercial arbitration and construction” disputes.
Pascal Hollander is identified by his peers and clients as “one of the top names in the market” who is known to show “exceptional strength on arbitration cases.”
Paul Lefebvre is singled out by his peers and clients as an “experienced, smart and considerate arbitrator” who has “a stella reputation”.
Maarten Draye is known by his peers and clients as “ha[ving] the knowledge and experience to be one of the next leaders in international arbitration” who is “[o]ne of the foremost young arbitration practitioners in Belgium”.
Iuliana Iancu is recognized by her peers and clients as “a brilliantly talented attorney with a deep knowledge of international commercial and investment treaty arbitration” who is “[w]ithout any question one of the smartest lawyers around”.
Emily Hay is regarded by her peers and clients as “an astute and dedicated lawyer who pays great attention to details” and who is “very meticulous and brilliantly impressive”.
In its Franchise 2021 Legal Marketplace Analysis, WWL ranked Pascal Hollander as a Global Elite Thought Leader, renowned as “an exceptional arbitrator and litigator who has a wealth of experience acting in franchise disputes”.
CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2021 RANKS HVDB IN BAND 1 FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN BELGIUM
In its 2021 Guide, Chambers and Partners again ranked HVDB among the top three law firms in Band 1 for dispute resolution in Belgium. Chambers recommends HVDB as a “[m]arket-leading boutique with renowned expertise in international arbitration” and an “[e]xceptionally strong group of arbitrators acting on large-scale cross-border disputes involving commercial companies and governments, representing clients as arbitration counsel, as well as sitting as arbitrators on complex cases”.
Albert Jan Van den Berg is described as “one of the most renowned arbitrators in the world” by a Chambers source with “a wealth of experience acting as an arbitrator on international arbitrations spanning a wide range of sectors.”
Bernard Hanotiau comes recommended by Chambers as “a highly esteemed international arbitrator with vast experience acting as both an arbitrator and as arbitration counsel.”
Pascal Hollander is distinguished by Chambers as “represent[ing] clients in high-profile arbitrations, often involving commercial or trade disputes”, who “files excellent submissions and is a very good advocate in a hearing.”
Paul Lefebvre is recognized as “a member of the Belgian Supreme Court and regularly acts as chairman and co-arbitrator on both institutional and ad hoc arbitrations.”
HVDB partners Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan van den Berg are, again, featured in Band 1 of the most in demand arbitrators world-wide. Together with Pascal Hollander, they equally feature in the category most in demand arbitrators Europe-wide. Along with Paul Lefebvre, they are each recognized for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration in Belgium.
LEADERS LEAGUE 2020 RECOGNIZES FIVE HVDB PARTNERS AS LEADING ARBITRATORS IN BELGIUM
In its 2020 International Arbitration Ranking, partners Bernard Hanotiau, Albert Jan van den Berg, Paul Lefebvre, and Pascal Hollander are ranked by Leaders League in its highest tier of Leading, within the category of “best arbitrators in Belgium 2019-2020”. HVDB partner, Maarten Draye is also identified by Leaders League as a Rising Star in international arbitration in Belgium.
HVDB is proud to announce that Paul Lefebvre was appointed President of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Belgium for a two year term starting in September 2020.
HVDB is proud to announce that Paul Lefebvre was appointed President of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Belgium for a two year term starting in September 2020.
CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2020 RANKS HVDB IN BAND 1 FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN BELGIUM
In its 2020 Guide, Chambers and Partners ranked HVDB among the top 3 law firms in Band 1 for dispute resolution in Belgium. Chambers describes HVDB as a “team […] composed of “world-class arbitrators.”
Albert Jan Van den Berg “acts as an arbitrator on international investment treaty arbitrations, as well as corporate and shareholder disputes. He assists with arbitrations under a variety of rules, including SIAC and LCIA rules”.
Bernard Hanotiau “is an acclaimed arbitrator specialising in international arbitrations within the construction sector. One market commentator claims that he ‘remains the star arbitrator in Belgium.’”
Pascal Hollander “is a highly regarded ICC arbitrator, regularly appointed on international arbitrations concerning contractual breaches. He also acts as arbitration counsel in commercial proceedings. One interviewee hails the ”excellent” Hollander as a ”very sophisticated lawyer who is extremely clever.””
Paul Lefebvre “is regarded by sources as a ”senior litigator with a very good reputation.” He is admitted to the Belgian Supreme Court and is known for handling commercial litigation, as well as arbitrations.”
Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan van den Berg feature in Band 1 of the most in demand arbitrators worldwide. Together with Pascal Hollander, they equally feature in the category dispute resolution: arbitration for Belgium. Paul Lefebvre is recognized for dispute resolution in Belgium.
WHO’S WHO LEGAL 2020 RECOGNIZES FIVE HVDB LAWYERS FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, AND FRANCHISE IN BELGIUM
In its Arbitration 2020 Legal Marketplace Analysis, Who’s Who Legal (WWL) recognized partners Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan van den Berg as among the world’s top 18 Global Elite Thought Leaders.
Bernard Hanotiau, who has spent over 40 years acting as arbitrator, chairman and counsel in commercial disputes, secures recognition as “a top Belgian arbitrator” who is “extremely experienced and has a no-nonsense approach”.
Albert Jan van den Berg, who has acted as sole and party-appointed arbitrator “in scores of disputes pertaining to the aviation, banking, construction, and defence sectors”, is identified as “a very big name in international arbitration” who is “very clever and experienced”.
Niuscha Bassiri is “already a leader in the younger generation of arbitrators”, with WWL sources recommending her as “super-organised and insightful”.
In its Franchise 2020 Legal Marketplace Analysis, WWL recognized partner Pascal Hollander as a Global Elite Thought Leader, and partner Pierre Vermeire as a Leading Individual, singled out for their experience and expertise advising franchisors and franchisees on system structuring, disputes, regulatory issues and transactional matters.
Pascal Hollander is regarded by his peers as “a highly respected dispute resolution specialist” who is lauded as “an excellent franchise lawyer, who is very involved in the arbitration of disputes”.
Pierre Vermeire is highlighted by WWL sources as “a young and very busy lawyer” who is valued as a “great, pragmatic and precise practitioner”.
Pascal Hollander is further singled out among peers in the Litigation 2020 rankings for his expert handling of litigation proceedings across various areas such as trade and corporate law.
Hanotiau & van den Berg promote in Brussels
Brussels-based arbitration and litigation boutique Hanotiau & van den Berg announced four promotions. The fact that all promotions came from its internal ranks shows the firm’s commitment to investing in young talent.
Maarten Draye and Iuliana Iancu will join the firm’s partnership, which brings the total number of partners to eight.
Maarten Draye focuses on arbitration and complex litigation, assisting clients before arbitral tribunals and state courts, including in proceedings relating to the enforcement and setting aside of arbitral awards. He also sits as arbitrator, adding recent appointments under the ICC and CEPANI Rules to his portfolio. In 2018, he was the first Emergency Arbitrator appointed under the CEPANI Rules to render an emergency order. Further recent case work includes sitting as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration seated in Paris between a UAE seller and a French buyer under Dutch law. He currently represents a US multinational against a group of European and African companies and individuals concerning a post-M&A dispute in a Brussels-seated ICC Arbitration.
Mr. Draye joined Hanotiau & van den Berg in 2007, after reading for an LL.M. at Queen Mary University of London. He lectures on arbitration at the Dutch Speaking Brussels Bar and regularly speaks and writes on topics relating to arbitration. In 2016, he co-edited a treatise on arbitration in Belgium with Niuscha Bassiri. Mr. Draye represents Belgium at the ICC Commission on Arbitration & ADR, serves as chairman of the Alumni & Friends of the School of International Arbitration at Queen Mary (AFSIA) and is part of the CEPANI40 Steering Committee. He is a member of the LCIA and CEPANI, representing the latter at the UNCITRAL Working Group II on dispute settlement in Vienna and New York.
Managing partner Pascal Hollander says: “It is very special when someone you accompanied in his legal career from the very beginning passes such an important milestone. Since he joined the firm as a first-year associate, I have always been able to rely on Maarten’s hard work, dedication and competence on the matters we handled together. Aside from his already impressive activity as arbitrator, Maarten is a remarkable advocate and we are delighted to be able to count on him to continue to strengthen the firm’s capabilities in counsel work, both in commercial arbitration and complex court litigation.”
Iuliana Iancu has over ten years of experience in arbitration, having acted as counsel in commercial arbitrations, and as arbitral secretary or assistant to tribunals in several dozen high-stakes, high-value and complex international investment and commercial arbitrations, both ad hoc and under a variety of arbitration rules. These spanned various industry sectors (banking, insurance, telecommunications, energy and natural resources, construction, pharmaceutical and M&A). Recent cases include an ICSID arbitration initiated against a European State as a result of a series of measures implemented during the Eurozone financial crisis and an ICC arbitration concerning a telecommunications operator in a Central European State.
A Romanian national, Ms. Iancu joined Hanotiau & van den Berg in 2012, after obtaining an LL.M. degree from Columbia University, New York (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar). Ms. Iancu is a founding member of the Romanian Chapter of the Spanish Arbitration Club and is involved in several other international arbitration groups (Young ICCA, ICC YAF, YITA). Ms. Iancu regularly speaks on topics related to arbitration and is a guest lecturer at the University of Bucharest’s LL.M. program in international arbitration. She is admitted to practice in Bucharest and is registered with the Brussels Bar.
Bernard Hanotiau says “Iuliana is an outstanding lawyer with a fantastic career ahead of her. During the seven years she has worked at Hanotiau & van den Berg, she has impressed with her rigorous and analytical mind, her in-depth knowledge of international arbitration, both investment and commercial, and her excellent business sense. I am delighted for her to join our partnership and I am convinced that she will do very well.”
The firm further promoted Senior Associate Magali Servais to Counsel. Ms. Servais joined Hanotiau & van den Berg as an associate in October 2011 after obtaining her Master in Law from the Catholic University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL). She simultaneously continued her training with a Master in Intellectual Property Rights at the Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussels (HUB). The major part of her activity is dedicated to the handling of cases before the Belgian Supreme Court in both French and Dutch, reason for which she currently participates in the professional training of the Supreme Court bar (cycle 2015-2019). Her Supreme Court experience also leads her to intervene in proceedings for the annulment and execution of domestic and international arbitral awards before the Belgian courts.
Ms. Servais was part of the team that successfully represented the Russian Federation in enforcement and attachment proceedings in Belgium relating to the Yukos matter. Paul Lefebvre recalls that “when acting on behalf of the Russian Federation in a complex and delicate matter like the Yukos case, it was invaluable to have Magali by my side and assisting me”
Finally, Gladys Bagasin was promoted to Senior Associate. Ms. Bagasin, a Philippine national, joined the firm three years ago from Georgetown University where she was working in the international trade law department. Prior to this, she worked as a litigation lawyer in the Philippines. Ms. Bagasin has experience serving as tribunal secretary or assistant to the tribunal in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations covering a wide range of disputes relating to, among others, construction, gas pricing, energy and power, project management, and banking.
Bernard Hanotiau says: “Gladys is a very talented and hardworking lawyer. In particular, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to deal with the most complex factual and legal disputes in the construction and energy areas.”
CHAMBERS GLOBAL RANKS HVDB IN BAND 1 FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN BELGIUM
In its 2019 Guide, Chambers and Partners ranked HVDB among the top 3 law firms in Band 1 for dispute resolution in Belgium.
Chambers describes HVDB as a “[r]evered boutique with specialised expertise and universally renowned in international arbitration” and an “[e]xceptionally strong group of arbitrators acting on large-scale cross-border disputes involving commercial companies and governments, representing clients as arbitration counsel, as well as sitting as arbitrators on complex cases”.Chambers’ sources further refer to HVDB as ”one of the most reputed arbitration boutiques,” with a reach extending beyond Belgium, praising its “truly international practice.” Other sources state that HVDB is “in another league for international arbitration.”
Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan van den Berg feature in Band 1 of the most in demand arbitrators worldwide. Together with Pascal Hollander, they further feature as 3 out of 4 Belgian-based arbitration practitioners ranked in Band 1 in the category dispute resolution: arbitration for Belgium. Paul Lefebvre is recognized for dispute resolution in Belgium.